Decorating for Fall.

Fall is one of my favorite seasons. I loved it as a child, and I love it as an adult. As a child it meant shopping for school clothes, and school supplies... plus getting back to school (I know... I really liked school). And as an adult it means, cooler weather (although not today), favorite shows back on, football, family birthdays, and .... MORE HOLIDAYS!

Growing up, my mom would always decorate the house for EVERY season. When I was a kid I thought it was pointless. Her spending hours making things, and putting things up. Then, I got older. And I do the same thing. I LOVE TO DECORATE. So, with more limited time I decided to make a holiday wreath. I don't like the ones I've been seeing. I went to Michael's today for another project (that I'll post later), and I decided to make my own.

I bought the following:

1. 1 plain Wreath ($4.99)
2. 1 spool of ribbon ($2.39)
3. 2 sets of fall colored flowers ($3.49 + $3.49)
4. Glue gun (already have - took about 3 mini sticks)

Total: $14.36

 And viola! Made in about 5 minutes (made during Jake's afternoon nap)!

What do you think about another project? Project that a few of us girls go to Michael's and head back to my house for a "decorating" party? Making things for our homes? Let me know what you think!

Happy Fall Y'all!

Jake's 1st Birthday Party - Mickey Mouse theme.

Yesterday was Jake's first birthday party! His actual birthday is September 1st. It's so hard to believe that Jake is already 1. Time just flew by. My little man continues to bring so much joy into my life. Watching him grow into a little boy is just amazing. God has certainly gave me the best gift ever. :)

Jake's party was a lot of fun! We had about 50 people here to celebrate. Lots of little ones crawling and walking everywhere! We had lots of friends, and lots of friends with little ones here. It was so neat seeing these little ones crawl, walk, and play together. One of my closets friends, Kristy was here before and after the party helping me blow up balloons, and just help with anything I needed! Thanks girl for all of your help! My mom and grandma flew into town! They wanted to be here for Jake's birthday party! It was so nice having them here. It was a major help. Jake LOVES his grandmas! They are flying home today and I'm pretty certain that means lots of tears for me later. I hate seeing them leave.

I have been working on Jake's party for over 6 months. I'm seriously not kidding. I picked the date over 6 months ago... maybe even a few months after Jake was born. I wanted to pick the perfect theme. I was at first going to do a color scheme... but, then I noticed something. Jake is in LOVE with Mickey Mouse. At the end of the Mickey Mouse Clubhouse they have the "hot dog dance"... Jake goes bonkers when that goes on. He starts dancing, clapping, smiling, and sometimes laughs. When he is getting fussy I even sing the song and he smiles. That was when I realized that Mickey Mouse should be his theme. Since he is only one, I wanted him to just have a blast, and be around those and things that make him happy.

I decided to make all of Jake's decorations. I just think so much of it is cheesy, and I can't do cheesy!

Thank you for all that came, and celebrated with us. Grant and I are so thankful for all the love and support we have around us. Yesterday was really such a fun day and night. I can't wait to celebrate more birthdays in the future!

Jake's invitation (information has been changed). Heather L Myers is a good friend of mine and a very talented graphic designer. She makes all of our invitations!

Dessert table. Cupcakes, chocolate dipped Oreos, m & m's, lollipops, red hots, and lemon heads! (Click on pictures to make them bigger)

I highly recommend Custom Cakes by Angie. Angie is so talented. I told her our theme, she sent me ideas and we went with the following. She even make his smash cake!

 My mom and I made these:

I made a banner for every month of Jake's life. I also filled the mantle with photos of Jake.

 I decided to make a photo booth. So that people could take pictures in front of the cloth. I made all the banners. 

 My mom and grandma before the party started.

 I contacted Terra (Tickled Sew Pink) about making a shirt for Jake. I again didn't want anything too cheesy, so we thought of something that was Mickey... but, ADORABLE! Ladies, and gentlemen... that shirt is a 3T!

 Thanks Josh and Lexi for my Mickey Mouse hat from DISNEYLAND!

 A few of the kiddos watching Mickey.

 More kiddos and friends.

 I was singing with the kids! ha!

 Grandma bringing Jake his cake.

CAKE SMASH!

 Proud mommy and daddy. :)

 Shirt came off. He was so red!

Hope you all had fun! Jake sure did!
Cheers,

Decorating traditions

Does it seem like this year has flown by? I swear this year feels like so much has gone on and it just zoomed by. Fall/winter are my favorite times of year! So much fun is scheduled around this time. My son's birthday, my birthday, dad's birthday, Thanksgiving, CHRISTMAS, and New Years! Growing up Christmas was such a huge deal with my family. My mom would start getting ready for Christmas the day after Thanksgiving. It seemed like every room in our house was decorated except our bedrooms. I am like my mother. I can't help it. I LOVE TO DECORATE! The only reason I only have downstairs decorated this year is because I'm so busy with my newborn... or else... The whole house would have garland and lights!

I have always followed suit with what my traditions are... In fact, last year I was going about my business buying and organizing Christmas decorations that Grant stopped me and asked if we could do some of his traditions. I felt terrible. Did I make Christmas all about my family and my traditions? At that moment I realized that Grant and I will have our OWN traditions. 

What are our traditions now? We go together to get our tree, and then Grant puts the lights on the tree. Funny story about that is we were buying the lights and Grant walked up to the cart with colored lights... the look on my face must have said it all. He turned around and said he'd be back. He came back with the all clear lights. I think colored lights are great... it's just my OCD spin on having everything match. Then I really go to work. My families tradition... or my moms way is to decorate like its a model home. I follow her path until next year. Grant is ok with my tree looking uniform and perfect, as long as we put up ornaments that are sentimental to us. Sentimental? WE decided that every year we will pick an ornament that we like and we will continue to put them on the tree for as long as we celebrate this wonderful Holiday. Once our kids are old enough to choose which one they want they can pick one every year too. 

Stockings. WE decided that the stockings we buy will be the stockings we will use forever as well. This was a tradition both of us had. Grant had a stocking that was red with his initials (GBS), and I had a kitty cat stocking. So, I bought ours from Pottery Barn. Since Pottery Barn offers the same stockings just about every year this will be good if we add an addition to our family! ;) 

The rest of the house... Grant doesn't care what I do... Just as long as I keep our new traditions. And continue to create more along the way. Compromise. This makes us both happy! Who doesn't like new traditions that can be passed on?

Here are a few pictures of our house:

Cheers,

Brooke

Boise baby shower

My mom, grandma, and my mom's best friend Kim threw me a baby shower yesterday here in Boise. It was so much fun! It was a cowboy themed party! My Mom has always gone over board when it comes to events (gee... wonder where I get it from), and this was no exception! I felt so loved and spoiled! It was funny... because when it came time to open gifts I forgot they were for me... I'M HAVING A BABY! ;)

Here are some pictures from my first baby shower!

Invitation (I deleted the address):

The set up:

Family:

Some of the guests:

Back yard:

I had a blast! Thank you for all that came and supported me. Jake is going to be a lucky boy!

Love,
Brooke